Mining apparatus



Aug. 13, 1940- J. F. Jox 2,210,919

MINING APPARATUS Filed May 20. 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 Sheets-Sheet I5 .1. F, JOY

HIRING APARATUS Filed llay 20, 1937 Aug, 13, 1940.

Aug. 13, 1940.

J. F. JQY

MINING APPARATUS Filed lay 20, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheetr4 FAW,

@Mfg

J. F. JOY 2,210,919

MINING APPARATUS Filed lay 20. 1937 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 13, 1940.

Aug. '13,1940. Y J. F. JOY 2,210,919

MINING APPARATUS Filed nay 20, 1937 5 sheets-sheet s ff Y F129 1% l o o o o o3 o e o *n Mil ma y .wf M Nm l@ It I lllllh M E ,'l ;|"I| |Jll|| Q rh mi m l lauw/MW:

Aug. 13, 1940. J, F, JQY 2,210,919

MINING APPARATUS Filed lay 20. 1937. 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Figi@ J. F. JOY

MINING APPQRATUS Filed lay 20, 1937 Aug. 13, 1940.

Aug.Y 13, 1940. J. F. JOY

MINING APPARATUS r f r r r v r r r r 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 fr/l Filed lay 20, 1957 Patented Aug. 13, 1940 PATENT oFFlcE MINING APPARATUS Joseph F. Joy, Claremont, N. H.,

assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 20, 1937, Serial N0. 143,809

17 Claims.

'This invention relates to mining apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting and loading type for cutting the solid coal, dislodging the cut coal from the solid and loading the dislodged coal.

An object of the present invention is to provide 1 A further object is to provide an improved cutting, dislodging and gathering means having em-` bodied therein improved means for retaining the coal to be gathered in the path of the gathering means, together with improved means for deilecting the coal from the gathering means as it is received by the conveying means of the apparatus. Yet another object is to provide an improved coal cutting and loading apparatus having improved conveying means associated with* the gathering mechanism in an improved manner. Another object is to provide an improved mechanism for adjusting and feeding the dislodging and gathering mechanism with respect to the material to be dislodged, and improved means for driving the dislodging and gathering means and the adjusting means. Yet another object is to provide an improved elevating mechanism for the cutting and dislodging mechanism whereby the coal may be cut and dislodged at diierent elevations with respect to the mine oor. Still another object is to provide improved means for moving the series of parallel cutters in parallelism toward and from one another to cause the cutters to act on the coal projections between the kerfs cut thereby to break down the coal projections as cutting progresses. A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of the above character having novel combinations and arrangements of the parts whereby extreme compactness as well as relatively great exibility are attained. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent from the following description, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration one form and a modirication which the invention may. assume in practice.

In thesedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a coal mining apparatus constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of theminlng apparatus shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. l, with parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal vertical section, with parts shown ln elevation, showing parts in an elevated position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 5-5 oi' Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan View of the cutting and dislodging mechanism shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, with parts shown in plan, illustrating the swinging means for the cutting and dislodging mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 8 8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing a modified form of cutting and dislodging chain.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line IIJ-l0 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line lI-II of Fig. 3.

3 Fig. 12 is a plan view of the bottom skid with the superstructure removed therefrom.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line I3-l3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line M-M of Fig. 2.

Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line I S-l 5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line lli-I6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic uid system.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the mining apparatus in operative cutting and dislodging position in a mine passage.

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic side view showing the mining apparatus in operative position in a mine passage, with the cutting and dislodging mechanism in its elevated position.

In this illustrative embodiment of the inven- 5o tion there is shown a coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting and loading, oor type mounted on a bottom skid for sliding movement on its own bottom over the mine oor, although it will be evident that the apparatus, if desired, may be truck` mounted or tractor-tread mounted. In this embodiment of the invention, cutting .and dislodging mechanism is associated with conveyor mechanism for cutting the solid coal, dislodging? the cut coal from the solid and moving the dislodged `coal toward the receiving portion of the conveyor mechanism, and the conveyor mechanism receives the broken coal and moves the latter away from the coal face toward an.

elevated discharg'e position at the rear end of the apparatus.

As shown in the drawings, the reference character I generally designates the cutting and dislodging mechanism and 2 the associated conveyor mechanism. The apparatus more specifically comprises a bottom skid plate 3 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, and this skid plate has extending lengthwise thereof parallel guide members 4, 4 providing longitudinal guideways in which are slidably mounted lateral guides 5, 5 formed integx'al with the lower plate of a main frame 8 of the apparatus. The main frame 6 has, at its rearward end. upstanding side projections 1 on which are pivotally mounted at 8 on a horizontal shaft extending transversely of the main frame. an upper arm or link 9, while pivotally mounted on a parallel axis at I near the bottom of the main frame in advance of the pivotal axis 3, is a pair of parallel bottom arms or links II, II. 'I'he lower ends of the arms II are pivotally mounted on horizontal pivot shafts I2, I2 supported within upstanding lugs formed integral with the lower plate of the main frame 6, as shown in Fig. 11. 'I'he forward ends of the parallel arms 9 and II are pivotally connected on parallel axes at I3 and I4, respectively, to a support I providing a connection between the forward ends of the upper and lower. arms. Mounted on and projecting forwardly from the support I5 is the casing of a horizontal motor I9 having its power shaft horizontally disposed andextending longitudinally of the apparatus` 'I'he motor has a front head I8 having secured thereto a front support I9, and this front support and the casing of the motor are rigidly fixed to the rear support I5 in any suitable manner.

Now referring to the improved cutting and dislodglng mechanism I, it will be observed that the front support I9 has forwardly projecting arms 2| supporting upper cylindrical bearing supports 22 and a lower bearing support 23. Supported by these bearing supports are bearing sleeves 24 and 25 on which are swivelly mounted circular bearing portions 26 and 21, respectively formed integral with upper and lower hanger frames 28 and 29. These hanger frames support a sexies of superimposed parallel cutting -and dislodglng bars, respectively designated by the reference characters 30, 3i, 32, 33 and 34. The bottom bar 30 is rigidly secured to the hanger frame 29, while a support 35, interposed between the bars 3| and 32, is rigidly secured to the upper hanger frame 28. Guided in guideways formed about the margins of the superimposed bars are endless cutter chains 39. The series or gang of parallel cutter bars are swingable about alined vertical axes arranged at the longitudinal vertical center of the apparatus in advance of and in adjacency to the forward receiving portion of the conveyor mechanism 2, and these cutter chains, as they are circulated about the margins of the cutter bars and as the latter are swung in unison about their pivots from as desired.

one 'side of the apparatus to the other, are adapted to cut narrow slots in horizontal parallel relation in the solid coal to form narrow pro- Jections of coal between the slots. In this '11- lustrative construction, the cutter chains on the 5 vrfive bars disclosed are operative to cut ve parallel slots to form four parallel horizontal projections of coal between the slots, although it will be evident that the number of bars may be varied l0 The driving means for the cutter chains -36 comprises a bevel gear 31 driven by the horizontal power shaft of the motor I6 and meshing with a bevel gear 39 formed integral with a vertical shaft 38 suitably journaled within the support 15 I9. Journaled on bearing sleeves supported by the shaft 39 is a spur gear 40 having its hub connectible by a sliding jaw clutch 4I to the shaft 39, and gear 49 meshes with a spur idler gear 42 integral with a vertical shaft 43 suitably 20 journaled within bearings supported by the front support I9. The gear 42 meshes with and drives a spur gear 44 having its hub journaled within bearings supported by the circular bearing supports 22 and keyed to a vertical drive shaft 45. 25 Journaled in bearings supported by the lower bearing support 23 and keyed to the shaft 45 is the hub of a chain sprocket 49. while `iournaled within the cutting and dislodging bars 3|, 32, 33 and 34, respectively, are the hubs of chain sprock- 30 ets 41, 48, 49 and 50. and these chain sprockets engage and drive the endless cutter chains 36 on the cutting and dislodging bars. The sprockets 41, 48 and 49 are splined to the drive shaft 45, while the sprocket 49 has a shaft portion to :m which the hub of the upper sprocket 59 is splined, and these splined connections permit adjustment of the sprockets 41, 48 and 49 axially relative to the shaft 45 andthe sprocket 50 axially relative to its drive shaft portion while the driving relation is always maintained, for a purpose to be later explained.

`Now referring to the mechanism for swinging the series of superimposed cutting and dislodging bars in unison about their pivotal axes relative to the front support I9 and the conveyor mechanism 2, it will be noted that secured to the opposite sides of the casing of the motor I9 are parallel, horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinders 5I, 5I (see Fig. 7) containing reciprocable 50 pistons, 52 having their piston rods 53 extending rearwardly through the rear packed heads of the cylinders. Secured to the rearward ends of the piston rods are brackets 54 on which are Journaled guide sheaves 55. Formed on the cir- 55 cular bearing portion 28 is an annular flange or cable receiving groove 56, and wound or wrapped about this flange or groove is a cable 51 having its intermediate portion suitably attached to the bearing portion 25. The fr ee ends of this cable extend around guide sheaves 58 and extend rearwardly along the oppositesides of the motor and around the guide sheaves 55 and then forwardlyto suitable anchors attached to the sides of the cylinders 5I. It will thus be 65.

seen that when hydraulic pressure is supplied to one or the other of the cylinders 5I, one end portion of the cable 51 may be deflected to effect swinging of the cutting and dislodging bars horizontally about their pivotal axes relative to the main frame 8 of the apparatus. In this improved construction, a separate and distinct, endless cutter chain 39 is provided for cutting each horizontal slotin the coal, and means is pro- A vided i'or relatively' moving the bars in paral-.75

lelism toward and from one another to cause the chains to actlatcrally on the projections of coal between the slots to dislodge fragments of the coal as cutting progresses. For accomplishing this, there are mounted on the lower bar 30, cylinders 59 containing reciprocable pistons 60 having piston rods 6| projecting upwardly through the upper packed cylinder heads and rigidly fixed at their upper ends to the next adjacent superimposed bar 3|. Mounted on the support 35 are hydraulic cylinders 62. |52` containing reciprocable pistons 63 havingpiston rods 64 projecting upwardly through the upper packed cylinder heads and rigidly ixed at their upper ends to the next adjacent superimposed bar 32. Mounted on the bar 32 are hydraulic cylinders 65, G5 containing reciprocable pistons 66 having piston rods 61 projecting upwardly through the Yupper packed cylinder heads and rigidly fixed to the next adjacent superimposed bar 33. Mounted on the bar 33 are hydraulic cylinders 68, 88 containing reciprocable pistons 69 having piston rods l projecting upwardly through the upper packed heads of the cylinders and rigidly fixed at their upper ends to the top bar 34. The bottom bar 3U is rigidly connected to the support 35 by spacing sleeves 1|, and extending centrally through these spacing sleeves are connecting bolts l2 for rigidly connecting the bars together. These spacing sleeves may form guides for the bar 3|. l

The series of superimposed cutting and dislodging bars are flexibly connected together by means preventing relative tilting of the bars so that the latter are always maintained in spaced parallel relation, and this means comprises plvoted links 13 connected between the opposite ends of the bars, the links between the bars 3| and 32 being preferably of substantially greater length than the length of the links between the bars 30 and 3| and 32 and 33, while the links between the two upper bars 33 and 34 are nearly of the same length as the long links. As shown in Fig. 8, similar pairs of links 14 are connected between the opposite sides of the bars with their axes of pivotal connection arranged at right angles to the axes of pivotal connection of the links 13. These hinged link connections between the series of bars always maintain the bars in parallel relation irrespective of their positions of relative adjustment. Each bar is provided with an adjusting screw 'l5 so that the outer end of the bar may be adjusted relative to the main body thereof to provide means for tightening the endless cutting and dislodging chains 36 guided on the bars. The spaces between the bars at the outer ends thereof are closed by telescopically arranged closure members 16 and Tl, these members moving back and forth with the bars during adjustment thereof so that the spaces between the bars are always maintained closed irrespective of the relatively adjusted positions of the bars. Similar closure-means may be provided along the length of the bars, if desired. A vertical deector 18 is supported on the front support I9 and is provided with deilector portions 19 projecting within the spaces between the bars 32, 33 and 34 for defiecting the dislodged coal from the paths of the cutters. The frame arms 2| act to deect the coal from the paths of the cutters of the bars 30, 3| and 32. The collapsible housings between the series of cutter bars preclude the passage of broken coal between the bars, thereby to insure proper delivery of the coal to the conveying mechanism, and the deflectors direct the coal onto the receiving portion of the conveyor mechanism.

If it be desired, in order to have clearanceto permit more eective breaking by moving the -bars in vertical planes against the projections of coal, to-cut clearances, the chain blocks of the chains 36 may be provided with suitably arranged'lateral cutter elements 80, as shown in Fig. 9. Obviously, these may be provided inany lnumber or pattern desired, and on top. bottom, or intermediate series of link elements as condimounted on a horizontal pivot shaft 8| alinedV with the pivot shafts |2, I2 for the lower parallel arms is a'hydraulic elevating cylinder 82, herein arranged midway between the lower arm and containing a reciprocable piston 83 having its piston rod 84 extending upwardly through the packed front head of the cylinder, the forward extremity of the piston rod being plvotally connected to the rear connecting support l on an axis coincident with the axis |3 of pivotal connection of the upper arm 9 with the support 5, in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4. 'I'he parallel arms 9, |I have their axes of pivotal connection with the main frame 6 and the connecting support |5 equi-distantly spaced so that these arms cooperate to provide a parallel ino-` tio mechanism for the cutting and dislodging bars, so that as the arms are swung upwardly about their pivots, the cutting and dislodging bars are always maintained in horizontal cutting and dislodging position. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the elevating cylinder 82, the piston 83 is moved with respect to the cylinderto effect swinging of the parallel arms 9, either upwardly or downwardly about their pivotal axes with respect to the main frame 6 of the apparatus, thereby to vary the elevation of the cutting and dislodging bars. 'I'he means for supplying hydraulic pressure to the elevating cylinder 82 will later be described.

The conveyor mechanism 2 is mounted upon the main frame of the apparatus and is herein of a well known type comprising two parallel troughs `88 positioned in substantially the same transverse planes at the opposite sides of the main frame 6 and secured to the latter by angle members 89, and each having an upright outer side wall 90. Arranged in the inner side of each of these troughs is a channel member 9| secured to the adjacent side of the main frame and providing a guideway 92 for the endless drive chain 93 of the conveyor. This drive chain comprises two-part chain blocks 94 connected together by jointed strap links 95, and the chain blocks have formed thereon conveyor flights 96 adapted to engage the material in the troughs at one side of the conveyor and move it therealong. The chain links and straps are connected together by suitable pairs of horizontal and vertical pintles to render the chain flexible in both horizontal and vertical planes and to permit the chain to follow the contour of the conveyor guideways. It is to be understood, however, that any other type of chain which is adapted to flex in horizontal and vertical planes may be substituted for the above described one without departure from the spirit of the invention. The flights may be of any preferred form adapted to move the material to be loaded along the trough ofprise a horizontal rearward portion 98 and a horizontal bottom front portion 99, these horizontal portions being connected together by an inclined portion |00, the forward portions of the conveyor troughs being arranged near the floor level at the forward end of the main frame, so that the receiving portion of the endless conveyor passes around the forward end of the main frame near the oor level to receive the broken coal moved rearwardly away from the coal face by the cutting and gathering chains and for moving the coal along one conveyor trough at one side of the main frame to elevate the coal to a suitable point of discharge at the rear end of the apparatus.

The driving means for the conveyor comprises a motor |0| having its power shaft |02 horizontally disposed and extending transversely of the main frame 6 in the manner shown in Fig. 14. Keyed to the inner end of the motor power shaft is a spur gear |03 meshing, as shown in Fig. 15, with a spur gear |04 keyed to a horizontal shaft |05, herein arranged parallel with the motor power shaft and suitably journaled within the main frame. Formed integral with and driven by the shaft |05 is a spur gear |06 meshing with a spur gear |01 keyed to a horizontal shaft |08. The shaft |08 is herein preferably arranged with its axis coincident with the motor power shaft axis and in parallelism with the shaft |05, and, like the latter, suitably journaled. within the main frame. Formed integral with the shaft |08 is a bevel gear |09 meshing with a. bevel gear ||0 having its hub suitably journaled on bear- .ings supported by a vertical shaft l2. 'Ihe shaft 2 is suitably journaled within the main frame and has keyed thereto and drives a sprocket ||3 connected by an endless drive chain ||4 with a sprocket ||5 engaging the endless drive chain 93 of the conveyor. The hub of the bevel gear |I0 is connectible by a jaw clutch ||6 to the shaft ||2. The jaw clutch comprises a sliding clutch member ||1 having usual operating means H8 controlled by a lever H9. It will thus be seen that when the clutch ||6 is connected, the conveyor may be driven by the motor |0I.

Means is provided for moving the apparatus bodily over the mine floor during maneuvering of the machine comprising a cable winding drum |20 journaled on a bearing sleeve |2| supported by a vertical shaft |22. Formed integral with the upper drum fiange is a spur gear |23 adapted to mesh with and to be driven by a spur gear |24 formed on the lower end of a vertical shaft |25 in turn formed integral with the hub ofthe bevel |0. The drum shaft |22 is journaled within bearing sleeves |26 supported within the main frame and is formed with an eccentric portion |21 on which the drum bearing sleeve |2| is supported, and secured to the lower end of this eccentric portion is a retaining plate |28 for retaining the drum bearing and drum in position on the shaft. Connected to the upper end of the drum shaft |22 is a handle |29 for rotating the eccentric portion of the shaft to move the drum gear |23 into and out of meshing engagement with the driving gear |24. This handle is pivoted to swing in a vertical direction, and when depressed is engageable with stop lugs |30, |30 for locking the drum gear in either of its adjusted as@ apio positions. Wound on the drum is a feed cable |31, and this cable may be extended from the drum into connection with a suitable anchor'iack or other extraneous abutment, so that as the drum is rotated to wind in the cable, the apparatus may be moved bodily over the mine iioor toward the anchor Jack or abutment in an obvious manner.

In this illustrative construction.- hydraulically operated means is provided to move with a walking" action the apparatus over the mine floor and for feeding the main frame 6. together with the cutting and dislodging bars supported thereby, rectilinearly back and forth relative to the bottom skid 3. The feeding means for effecting rectilinear feed isvarranged longitudinally beneath the main frame in adjacency to the bottom skid and comprises a pair of reciprocable hydraulic cylinders |32, |32 arranged in parallel relation and pivotally connected at |33 at their front ends to depending lugs |34 formed integral with the main frame to swing in a vertical direction. Contained in these cylinders are pistons |35 having their. piston rods |36 extending rearwardly through the packed rear heads of the cylinders and pivotally connected at their rear ends on horizontal axes at |31 to an upstanding bracket |38 secured to the rearward .portion of the bottom skid 3. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the cylinders |32, the main frame 6, together with the cutting and dislodging bars supported thereby, may be slid back and forth along the guideways relative to the bottom skid. As shown in Fig. 1l, these feed cylinders |32 extend longitudinally in the spaces between the lower parallel arms I, and the centrally located elevating' cylinder 16, so that extreme compactness is obtained when the parts are in their lowered position on the skid. To insure proper guiding of the main frame 6 during its rectilinear movement on the guideways relative to the bottom skid 3, the bottom of the main frame is formed with a centrally located, longitudinal guiding slot |39 with which engages an upstanding guide block |40 formed integral with the bottom skid, .fs shown in'Fig. 3.

The walking" jacks are, in this instance, three in number and are designated |4|, |42 ard |43, two located at the rear end of the main frame 6 at the opposite sides thereof (see Fig. 13) and one centrally located at the front end of the main frame (see Fig. 3). The centrally located front jack |4| comprises a vertical cylinder |44 secured to the front end of the main frame 6 and containing a reciprocable piston |45 having its piston rod |46 extending downwardly through the packed lower head of the cylinder. The piston rod has a bottom abutment surface engageable with the mine floor. The skid is centrally slotted at |41 at its forward end to permit movement of the jack within the slot when the main frame 6 is in its rearmost position on the skid 3. 'Ihe rearwardly located side jacks |42, |43 each comprise, as shown most clearly in Fig. 13, vertical cylinders |40 containing reciprocable pistons |49 having piston rods |50 extending downwardly through the lower packed cylinder heads and having bottom abutment surfaces engageable with the mine floor. When hydraulic pressure is supplied concurrently to the upper ends of the cylinders |44, |48, the pistons are moved downwardly until the abutment surfaces on the piston rods thereof engage the mine iioorl and then 'the cylinders are moved upwardly relative to the then stationary pistons to raise the main frame aarden! |32 to effect rectilinear movement of the bottom Y skid 3 relative lto the main frame 6 and there-- after the jack cylinders may be lowered and the pistons thereafter raised to bring the weight of the main frame back onto the bottom skid.

` walking action by successively feeding the' When the jack pistons are released from the mine floor, hydraulic pressure may be supplied to the feed cylinders |32 to effect forward rectilinear movement of the main frame relative to the bottom skid. It will thus be seen that by operating the feed and jack cylinders, the apparatus may be moved over the mine iioor with a main frame relative to the skid, relieving the skid of the weight of the main frame, feeding the unweighted skid relative to the main frameand thereafter lowering the main frame onto the skid. The means for supplying hydraulic pressure to the feed and jack cylinders will later be described.

Again referring to the bottom skid structure, it will be noted that the bottom skid has extending along the sides thereof at its forward portion vertical retaining walls |55, |55 outwardly ared at their forward ends for directing, when the main frame 6 is in its rearward position on the skid 3, the coal moved rearwardly by the cutting and dislodging chains, onto the receiving portion of the' conveyor and for retaining the coal in the path of the receiving portion of the conveyor. When the main frame 6 is fed forwardly relative to the skid 3, the receiving portion of the conveyor, of course, moves forwardly from its position between the sides of these vertical retaining walls. To prevent the coal from being thrown rearwardly onto the forward portion of the main frame through the space between the bottomvsurface of the front support and the top of the main frame, there are provided hinged deiector plates |56 plvotally connected together at |51 and extending transversely across the main frame. These deiiector plates form a. flexible front closure or obstruction to prevent the coal from being discharged -rear wardly from the cutting and gathering chains over the top of the receiving portion of the conveyor, and, due to their hinged connection, are operative in all elevated positions of the cutting and dislodging bars.

Now referring to the hydraulic fluid system and its associated control means, it will be noted that arranged in a reservoir |68 formed within the main frame, is a pump |6| having its intake submerged within the liquid in the reservoir and driven by a shaft |62 keyed to the drive shaft |05 (see Fig. 15). As shown in Fig. 17, the pump discharge is connected by a conduit |63 with a pressure supply passage |64 of a valve box |65. 'Ihe valve box has formed therein a series of horizontal bores containing slide valves of the balanced-spool type. Extending longitudinally of the valve box and communicating with the supply passage |64 is a pressure passage, the latter passage communicating with the valve bores centrally between their ends. with the ends of the valve bores are discharge passages in turn communicating with a discharge passage |68 connected by a conduit |69 back to the reservoir. One of the slide valves in the valve box |65 controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to the rear walking jacks |42 and |43 and has its bore connected by a conduit |19 to Communicating the upper ends of the jack cylinders and by a conduit |88 to the lower ends of the jack cylinders. These conduitsareprovided with manual control valves |8| and. |82 whereby the supply of hydraulic pressure to the jack cylinders may be independently controlled. Another of the slide valves in the valve box |65 controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to the front jack -|4| and has its bore connected by a conduit |83 to the upper end of the jack cylinder and' by a conduit |84 to the lower end of the Jack cylinder.

Another of the slide valves in the valve box controls the 'supply of hydraulic pressure to the feed cylinders I 32 and has its bore connected through a conduit |85 to the rear ends of the feed cylinders and through a conduit |86 to the forward ends of the feed cylinders. Another of the slide valves .controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to the elevating cylinder 82 and has its bore connected through conduits |81 and |88 to the opposite ends of the cylinder. Another of the slide valves in the .valve box |65 controis the supply of hydraulic pressure to the bar swinging cylinders 5|, 5| and has its `bore connected through conduits |89 and |98 to the forward ends of the bar swinging cylinders 5|. Another slide valve controls. the supply of hydraulic pressure to the adjusting cylinders 68 for the top cutting and dislodging bar 34 and 'has its bore connected by a conduit |9| to the lower ends of the cylinders 68 and by a conduit |92 to the upper ends of these cylinders. Another valve in the valve box has its bore connected by a c onduit |93 to the lower ends of the adjusting cylinders 65 for the cutting and dislodging bar 33 and by a conduit |94 to the upper ends of these cylinders. The valve bore of the next adjacent valve in the valve box is connected by a conduit |95 to the lower ends of the adjusting cylinders 62 for the cutting and dislodging bar 32 and by a conduit |96 to the upper ends of these cylinders, while the bore of the last valve in the valve box is connected by a conduit |91 to the lower ends of the adjusting cylinders 59 for the cutting and dislodging bar 3| and by a conduit |98 to the upper ends of these cylinders. It will thus be seen that when hydraulic pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the bar adjusting cylinders 59, 62, 65 and 68, the cutting and dislodging bars 30, 3|, 32, 33 and 34 may be relatively adjusted toward and from one another to cause the cutting and dislodging chains 36 to act on the projections of coal cut thereby to break down fragments ofthe coal as cutting progresses. By supplying hydraulic pressure to the lower end of the elevating cylinder 82, the superimposed bars may be adjusted into different elevated positions with respect to the mine floor.

The general mode of operation of the improved coal mining apparatus will be clearly apparent from the description given. The apparatus may be moved bodily over the mine Hoor during maneuvering of the apparatus at a relatively high moving speed by the feed drum |20 and its cooperating feed cable |3|, or by the walking" .jacks |4|, |42, |43 and thefeed cylinders |32. When the apparatus is properly located with respect to the working face of the coal seam, as shown in full lines in Fig. 18, with the cutting and dislodging bars in the right angle position at one side of the apparatus, as indicated at A, the left hand swinging cylinder 5| may be operated to swing the bars about their pivotal axes from the position indicated at A to the opposite right angle position, as indicated in dotted lines at B in Fig. 18, thereby to out and dislodge the coal with an arcuate swinging motion. At intervals during swinging of the cutting and dislodging bars about their pivotal axes, the hydraulic cylinders 59, 82, 65 and 68 may be operated. to move the bars relative to one another,

thereby to cause the cutter chains 33 to act laterally of the coal projections between the slots cut thereby' to break down fragments of the coal. swung horizontally Yabout their p iiotal axes. the cutting and dislodging bars completely cut and dislodge the coal from .the solid between the upper or lowermost limits of the top and bottom bars, and the cutting and dislodsing chains move with a horizontal sweeping action the broken down coal toward the receiving portion of the conveyor. As the dislodged coal is received by the conveyor,'it is conveyed rearwardly from the mine oor along the conveyor trough at one side of-themain frame 6 to discharge, in an elevai'ed position, at the rear end of the apparatus. The conveyor may discharge the coal into a suitable receptacle or onto a conveyor mechanism in a well known manner. When the swinging cut is completed, the cutting and dislodging bars are swung in` the opposite direction about their pivotal axes to the initial position indicated at A in Fig. 18, 'and hydraulic pressure is then supplied to the feed cylinders |32 to effect rectilinear movement of the main frame 3 forwardly longitudinally relative to the bottom skid 3 to feed rectilinearly the cutting and dislodging bars from the position indicated at A to the dotted line position indicated at C'in Fig. 18. When this rectilinear cut is completed, the walking -jacks |4|, |42 and |43 are operated to raise the main frame 6 from the bottom skid-3 to relieve the latter of the weight of the apparatus and the feed cylinders |32 are then `operated to move the bottom skid 3 forwardly beneath the main frame and thereafter the jacks are operated to again lower the main frame onto the bottom skid. Hydraulic pressure is then supplied to the feed cylinders |32 to move the main frame 6 forwardly rectilinearly relative to the bottom skid tor-move the cutting and dislodging bars from the position indicated at C to the dotted line position indicated at D in Eig. 18. The walking jacks are then operated to raise the main frame 6 to again relieve the weight of the apparatus from the bottom skid and the latter is again moved `into its forward position beneath the main frame, the jacks thereafter being operated to lower the main frame back onto the bottom skid. and the forward feeding operation is again repeated to move the cutting and dislodging bars from the position indicated at D to the dotted line position indicated at E in Fig. 18. Hydraulic pressure is then supplied to the left hand swinging cylinder 5| and the cutting and dislodging bars swung about their pivotal axes from the position indicated at E to the dotted line position indicated at F in Fig. 18. When the cutting and dislodging bars assume the position at F, the wa1king"'aotion of the walking jacks and feed cylinders is repeated in a reverse sequence so that the cutting and dislodging bars are fed rearwardly rectilinearly inV successive steps through the positions indicated at G and l-I in dotted lines in- Fig. '18. The cutting and dislodging bars are then swung to the right until they assume the position indicated at C and As the cutting and dislodging bars are' and the operations above described through the positions corresponding to C, D, E, F, .G and H, are repeated. In Fig. 2, the cutting' and dislodging bars are shown in a position to cut at the door level, and when it is desired to raise the cutting and dislodging bars to cut at an elevation substantially above the mine floor, hydraulic pressure may be supplied to the lower end of the elevating cylinder 32 to swing the parallel arms of the parallel motion" mechanism upwardly to move the bars from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 19. ,When the cutting and dislodging bars are in either oi' their positions shown or in any desired intermediate position, the bars may be fed and swung in the same manner as that above described. During any of the above described feeding operations to the right or left by operating one or the other of the 'side Jacks |42, |43 so that the apparatus is raised from the bottom skid onlyfrom one side thereof so that when forward feed is effected by the feeding cylinders |32 the apparatus is slued about the axis of the active "walking" Jack as a pivot.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting and dislodging type is provided having improved means for cutting the solid coal, dislodging the Acut coal from the Solid and moving the dislodged coal toward the receiving portion of a conveying mechanism by which the coal is moved rearwardly away from the coal face to a suitable point of disposal. It will Vfurther be evident that by the provision of the improved adjusting and feeding means for the cutting and dislodging mechanism, the apparatus is rendered extremely flexible in operation, as well as controllable with comparative ease. It will still further be evident that by the arrangements of the parts in the manner disclosed, the apparatus is not only relatively exible in operation, but is also extremely compact and rugged in design, well adapted to meet the conditions of service in the mining of coal. Other advantages and uses of the improved coal cutting and loading apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described one form and a modification which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form and modification thereof are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. l

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, parallel cutter bars having endless chains guided for circulation about their margins, means forsupporting said cutter bars for swinging movement and for swinging said bars to eilect the simultaneous formation of parallel kerfs in the solid coal with a projection of coal between the kerfs, and means associated with said cutter bars and swingable with the latter about the bar pivots for moving either one of said bars relative to the other in a direction parallel to the bar pivots, said last mentioned bar moving means including independently operable means one for adjusting one bar relative to the other and the other for adjusting the latter bar relative to the l rst whereby either the upper or the) lower boundary of the projection may be altered by bar movement eiected by one of said bar adjusting means while the other such bar adjustingmeans remains inactive. I

2. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, parallel cutter bars having endless chains guided .for circulation about their margins, means for supporting said bars for swinging movement and for swinging said bars concurrently to form superimposed kerfs whose forward edges advance together and which kerfs are separated by an intervening projection oi coal, and means for eiecting movement of either bar relative to the other vin a direction substantially perpendicular to the kerfs being cut including means for moving the lower bar upwardly and downwardly relative to the upper bar and means for moving the upper bar downwardly and upwardly relative to the lower bar, each of said means operable to move its own bar alone while the other bar moving means is not in operation, each of said bar moving means including thrust exerting devices located between the bars and at least in part in a position lying inside the coal face during full depth cutting but having control means operable during cutting at a. point outside the face.

3. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, parallel cutter bars having endless chains guided for circulation about their margins, means for supporting said bars for swinging movement and for swinging said bars to effect the simultaneous formation of parallel ,kerfs in the solid coal with a projection of coal between them, and'means for periodically moving one of said bars relative to the other to vary the mean distance between them, said moving means associated with said cutter bars, and swingable with the latter, and so related thereto that during full depth cutting by said bars said bar moving means all lie inside the face within the opening formed, said bar moving means including devices acting upon the bar moved simultaneously at points relatively widely spaced along its length thereby to impart a relatively uniformly distributed thrust upon said projection, said bar supporting means supporting said bars in such spaced 'relation that the projection is fracturable by said thrust.

4. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, parallel cutter bars having endless chains guided for circulation about their margins, means for supporting said cutter bars for swinging movement and for swinging said bars to eect the simultaneous cutting of parallel kerfs in the solid coal spaced from each other by aprojection of uncut coal, and means associated with said bars and swingable with the latter for moving either bar at will relative to the other to apply a lateral pressure upon the coal projection including means for moving one bar relative -to the other and means for moving the latter bar relative to the iirst, said bar moving means each` operable independently of the other and each including a device disposed inside the face during full depth cutting but nearer the outer end of its bar and another device also disposed inside the face during full depth cutting but'nearer the innermost end of the bar, and means controllable from outside the face for effecting simultaneous operation, while the same are inside the face, ol all of the devices for moving the bar selected to be moved, thereby to effect the application of a lateral thrust to the coal projection.

5. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, in

bination, a portable base, an

combination, parallel cutter bars for simultane- -ously forming parallel slots` in the solid coal spaced by a projection of coal, uidactuated cylinder and piston meansassociated with said cutter bars andv all so related to said bars-that when the latter are cutting full depth kerfs said uid actuated means are'all inside the face, and means including a source of pressure outside the face, and conduit'means'and means also outside the tace for controlling the delivery of pressure through said conduit means lfor periodically delivering iluid tothe cylinder and piston means for moving one of said bars to cause the latter to exert at will a lateral pressure upon the coal projection.

6. Ina cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, cutting and dislodging means comprising parallel, horizontal, relatively widely spaced, narrow elongated chain cutters having orbitally movable cutting elements for cutting simultaneously parallel horizontal slots in the solid coal to form a horizontal, relatively Wide `projection of coal between the slots, said cutting and dislodging means embodying means for dislodging fragments of the coal projection as cutting progresses, means for supporting said chain cutters including means for eiecting relative adjustment between them to vary the width ofthe coal projection between the slots, and means including relatively adjustable portions arranged vertically between said endless chain cutters within the orbits of the cutting elements and secured to said cutters and exten g longitudinally throughout the major portions of the lengths of said cutters for obstructing the space therebetween irrespective of the changesin height of such space upon relative adjustment between said cutters, to prevent the passage of the dislodged coal laterallybetween the cutters.

7. In a mining and loading apparatus, in comarm structure pivotally mounted at its rear end on said baseV to swing in a vertical direction relative to said base, cutting mechanism supported by said arm structure and comprising parallel narrow elongated cutter bars having endless cutter chains guided for circulation about their margins, said cutter bars pivotally mounted at one end on said arm structure and swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said arm structure to move said cutter chains for cutting simultaneously parallel horizontal slots in the solid coal, means for swinging said arm structure upwardly in one direction about its pivotal mounting to move said cutter bars into different horizontal cutting positions relative to said base, said cutting mechanism being movable into horizontal cutting position irrespective of the angular position of said arm structure about its pivotal mounting relative to said base, material intercepting means extending between said cutter bars and carried by the latter for precluding escape of detached coal through between the cutters, materlal intercepting means .for intercepting detached coal brought out by said chains irrespective of the vertical adjustment of said cutting mechanism, and a conveyor on said base for receiving detached coal in all positions of said cutting mechanism.

8. In a mining and loading apparatus, in combination, a portable base, a conveyor on said base, an arm structure pivotally mounted at its rear end on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative to said base and said conveyor, cutting and dislodging mechanism for cutting the solid coal, dislodging fragments of the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and moving the dislodged coal towards said conveyor, said cutting and dislodging mechanism including cutter bars'for cuttingparallel horizontal kerfs sepa,-v rated by a projection of coal, said bars supported by said arni structure and pivoted at one end on said arm structure and swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said arm structure for cutting simultaneously their -res'pective horizontal slots in the solid coal and for moving the dislodged coal towards said conveyor,

said4 cutting and dislodging mechanism embodying means having controlling means operable from outside the face for moving the higher one of said bars at will, while said bars are within the coal, relative to the other for eiecting dislodge- Y A tive of the angular position of said arm structure about its pivotal mounting relative to said base and said conveyor.

9.. In a mining and loading apparatus, in combination, a portable base, a conveyor on said base, a parallel motion arm structure pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative to said base and said conveyor, cutting and dislodging mechanism for cutting the solid coal, dislodging fragments of the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and moving the dislodged coal towards said conveyor, said cutting and dislodging mechanism including cutter bars for cutting parallel horizontal kerfs separated by a projection of coal and having a mounting providing for adjustment of either of said bars towards and from the other, and said cutting and dislodging means supported by said arm structure with said cutter bars pivoted at one end on said arm structure and swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said arm structure for cutting simultaneously their respective horizontal slots in the solid coal and for moving the dislodged coal towards said conveyor, said cutting and dislodging mechanism embodying means including devices swinging with said bars and entering the coal and operable while inside the face to move either bar relative to the other to eilect dislodgment of fragments of the cut coal from the solid, and means for swinging said arm structure in a vertical direction about its pivotal mounting relative to said base and said conveyor to vary the elevation of said cutting and dislodging mechanism while said cutting and dislodging devices are always maintained in a horizontal cutting and dislodging position.

10. In a mining and loading apparatus, in combination, a portable base, a conveyor on said base, an arm structure pivotally mounted at its rearward end on said base to swing in a vertical direction relative to said base and said conveyor, cutting and dislodging mechanism for cutting the solid coal, dislodging fragments of the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and moving the dislodged coal towards the conveyor, said cutting and dislodging mechanism supported by said arm structure and comprising elongated cutting and dislodging devices pivoted at one end on said arm structure on a common axis and swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots through at least 180. from one side of the apparatus tothe other for cutting simultaneously a series of parallel horizontal slots in the solid coal and for moving the dislodged coal-twards said conveyor, the supporting means for s aid devices including meansvfor mounting at least one of -said devices for movement upwardly and downwardly relative to another 'and said cutting and dislodging mechanism ,further embodying means acting on said devices at points inside the face and operable periodically to impart directly to said devices a movement relative to the adjacent device to exert a' pressure on the intermediate-projection to effect dislodgment of fragments of the cut coal from the solid, and means for swinging said arm structure upwardly in one direction about its pivotal mounting to move said cuttingA and dislodging mechanism into different parallel horizontal cutting and dislodging positions, said cutting and dislodging mechanism being movable into a horizontal cutting and dislodging position irrespective of the angular postion of said arm structure about its pivot relative to said base.

l1. In a mining and loading apparatus, in combination, a portable base having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said base for longitudinal movement along said base guideways, means for moving said frame longitudinally along saidguideways relative to said base, an endless conveyor surrounding and guided on said frame, said conveyor having its receiving portion disposed near the oor level at the forward end of said frame, an arm structure pivotally mounted on said frame to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto and extending upwardly above the bottom of said frame, a horizontal support carried by said arm structure at the forward extremity thereof and disposed above the receiving portion of said conveyor, means for swinging said arm structure about its pivotal mounting relative to said frame to move said support into different horizontal positions at diil'erent elevations relative to said frame, cutting and dislodging mechanism mounted on the forward end of said support vfor cutting the solid coal, dislodging the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and for moving the dislodged coal toward the receiving portion of said conveyor, said cutting and dislodging mechanism embodying means for dislodging the cut coal from the solid and comprising elongated cutting and dislodging devices pivoted at one end on said support with their ends nearer their pivots disposed in adjacency to, but with their pivot axes spaced longitudinally of the machine from, the receiving portion of said conveyor when said support is in its lowered position on said frame, said cutting and dislodging devices swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said support from a right angle position at one side of the appratus to a right angle position at the other side of the apparatus for cutting parallel horizontal slots in the coal and for moving the dislodged coal toward the receiving portion of said conveyor, and

means for swinging said cutting and dislodging devices horizontally about their pivots relative to.

said support, said arm structure swinging means having controlling means operable to cause said arm structure to position said devices to operate iirst to remove the upper portion of a seam and thereafter to remove the portion underlying that which was first removed.

12. In a mining and loading apparatus, in combination, a portable base having longitudinal guideways, a frame mounted on said base for longitudinal movement along said base guideways, means for moving said frame longitudinally along said guideways relative to said base, an endless conveyor surrounding and guided on said frame, said conveyor having its receiving portion disposed near the oor level at the forward end of said frame, an arm structure pivotally mounted on said frame to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto and extending upwardly above the bottom of said frame., a horizontal support carried by said arm structure at the forward extremity thereof, and disposed above the receiving portion of said conveyor, means for swinging said arm structure about its pivotal mounting relative to said frame to move said support into diierent horizontal positions at diierent elevations relative to said frame, cutting and dislodging mechanism mounted on the forward end of said support for cutting the solid coal, dislodging the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and for moving the dislodged coal toward the receiving portion of said conveyor, said cutting and dislodging mechanism embodying means for dislodging the cut coal from the solid and comprising elongated cutting and dislodging devices pivoted at one end on said support at the longitudinal vertical center of the apparatus with their rearward portions disposed in adjacency to and in advance of the receiving portion of said conveyor when said support is in its lowered position on said frame. said cutting anddislodging devices swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said support from a right angle position at one side of the apparatus to a right angle position at the other side of the apparatus for cutting parallel horizontal slots in the coal and for moving the dis'- lodged coal toward the receiving portion of said conveyor, and means for swinging said cutting and dislodging devices horizontally about their pivots relative to said support, said means for dislodging the cut coal from the solid including means for relatively adjusting said devices toward and from one another to apply a powerful breaking down pressure to the coal between the horizontal slots as said devices are swung horizontally about their pivots, said adjusting means including pressure exerting devices disposed between said elongated cutting and dislodging devices at points which lie inside the face during full depth cutting and means outside the face for rendering said pressure exerting devices effective even when the latter are at maximum distance inside the face.

13. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus. in combination. cutting and dislodging means comprising a series of parallel cutters mounted for pivotal movement and swingable about their pivots for cutting simultaneously a series of parallel slots in the solid coal to form projections of coal between the slots. means associated with said cutters and swingable therewith about the cutter pivots for independently moving said cutters toward and from one another to cause said cutters to act on said coal projections to break down the latter, and means embodied in said cutting and dislodging means for increasing the width of certain of the slots to provide clearance to facilitate breaking down of the projections.

14. In a 'cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, parallel cutter bars having endless cutter chains guided for circulation about their margins, said cutter bars mounted for pivotal movement and swingable about their pivots to cutting and dislodging move said cutter chains for cutting simultaneousanother to vary the distance therebetween, and

collapsible housing means extending between said bars for housing said bar moving means in all relative positions of the bars.

15. In a cutting and dislodging apparatus, in combination, parallel cutter bars having endless cutter chains guided for circulation about their margins, said cutter bars mounted for pivotal movement and swingable about their pivots to move said cutter chains for cutting simultaneously parallel kerfs in the solid coal to form a projection of coal between the kerfs, motor operated means associated with said cutter bars and swingable therewith about the bar pivots for moving either one of said bars relative to the other to break down the coal projection between the kerfs, and collapsible housing means arranged in the space between the bars for housing said bar mov- -ing means in all relative positions of the bars.

16. In a mining and loading apparatus, in combination, a portable base, a conveyor on said base. cutting and dislodging means mounted on said base for cutting the solid coal, dislodging the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and moving the dislodged coal towards said conveyor comprising a plurality of superimposed elongated cutters pivotally mounted at one end on said base at the longitudinal vertical center of the apparatus and swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said base from a right angle position at one side of the apparatus to a right angle position at the other side thereof for cutting simultaneously parallel horizontal slots in the solid coal to form a series of horizontal projections of coal between the slots, said cutting and dislodging means embodying means foi` effecting dislodgment of fragments of the coal projections, and deector means relative to which said cutters are swingable and having deiiector portions projecting between certain of said cut- -ters for deiiecting the dislodged coal out of the paths of the cutters and for directing the dislodged coal downwardly towards said conveyor.

17. In a mining and loading apparatus. in combination, a portable base, a conveyor on said base. means mounted on said base for cutting the solid coal, dislodging the cut coal from the solid as cutting progresses and moving the dislodged coal towards said conveyor comprising a plurality of superimposed. narrow. elongated endless chain cutters pivotally mounted at their rearward ends on said base and swingable horizontally in unison about their pivots relative to said base and said conveyor for cutting simultaneously parallel horizontal slots in the solid coal to form a series of horizontal projections of coal between the slots. said ing means embodying means fordislodging fragments of the coal projections as cutting progresses. and defiector means mounted on said base and relative to which said endless chain cutters are horizontally swingable, said detlector means having deflector portions projecting between said endless chain cutters for deilecting the dislodged fragments of the coal `out of the paths of the cutters and directing the dislodged coal downwardly toward the receiving end of the conveyor.

JOSEPH F. JOY.

cutting and dislodgl 

